^ In the past year, I realized that my sister and I read the same exact type of books, so I feel confident she will like the books I am loading on her PW, which is a Xmas present. I had to rebuy the ones I have in English, since she only reads in German, so that kind of sucks.

Otherwise, I agree, better not to give specific books unless you know it's the next in a series they are already reading, or if it's on their wishlist.

My nephew got me a Casual Vacancy and was so excited he could not wait to tell me - which is good, because now I have until Xmas to practice my "excited" face, since I had no interest in reading that book.

It is so messed up to give somebody who is not religious bibles as so-called presents. That's like giving a kid who hates maths a math work book as a present. Seriously?!

Usually when # is used with a number it refers to that specific message in the thread. I tried using Wingding with a 6 in a circle but alas those don't work, since that is not a platform independent standard. I checked the article after posting, that is when I realized that it was an item in there that was mentioned.

Sorry for the confusion. I probably should have referenced the significant part of the title (Nine ideas for making an invisible gift more fun to give) in my post or mentioned "#6 from the list" for clarity.

An aside: If anyone tries Idea #6, please come back and let us know how it turned out.

Not once did I ever get a book I actually wanted when I was young and still exchanging gifts with family. One relative knows I'm not religious, so used to send me a bible every year. Another would load up a box of books she'd read, knowing I had no interest in the genre and pass them to me as a Christmas gift. (She didn't want to waste them by tossing them out.)

I'd so much rather get a gift card it isn't funny. Now, we've just all have agreed not to give presents accept to parents. And they get restaurant gift certificates.

The rest of us are so much happier with just sending a Card, sharing a meal or a phone call. The rest it just too much work.

It is so messed up to give somebody who is not religious bibles as so-called presents. That's like giving a kid who hates maths a math work book as a present. Seriously?!

As the recipient, I have to agree. But when they throw out the "But I love you and don't want you to go to hell, so I got you religion for Christmas!" thing at you, it's just easier to grin and bear it.

As the recipient, I have to agree. But when they throw out the "But I love you and don't want you to go to hell, so I got you religion for Christmas!" thing at you, it's just easier to grin and bear it.